Control device for alarm



DCC. 3, 1935. C. p HOWARD k Re. 19,775

CONTROL DEVICE FOR ALARM ME'HANISM original Filed May 19, 1931 2sheets-sheet 1 c, P. HOWARD Re. 19,775

Y CONTROL DEVICEI FOR ALARM MECHANISM Dec. 3, 1935.

O Original Filed May 19,- 1931 42 Sheets-Sheet 2 @zr/@7,2% an ReissuedDec. 3, 1935 Re.

CONTROL DEVICE FOR ALARM MEcnANIsM Clifton 1. Howard, Worcester, Mass.,assigner, by mesne assignments, to the Gamewell Company, Newton, Mass.,a corporation of Massachusetts original No. 1,891,540, dated December20,1932, Serial No. 538,493, May 19, 1931. Application for reissueSeptember 8, 1934, Serial No. 143,299

30 Claims. (Cl. 20o-142) This invention relates to signal systems de- Myimproved control device, as shown in Figs. signed to sound an alarm uponthe occurrence 1 to 4, comprises a ring 23 of insulating material, ofexcessive atmospheric temperatures in a deseated in a recessed portion2I of the cover plate fined area. Such systems may be installed in I0. Acup-Shaped member 23 iS mounted in the 5 places where sprinklers cannotbe used, or may axial opening of the ring 20 and extends through 5 besupplementary to the sprinkler system. an axial opening in the coverplate III. The outer It is the general object of my invention to proendof the cup-shaped member 23 is flanged or vide an improved controldevice for the alarm spun outwardly, as indicated at 25, therebysecurmechanism of such signal systems, so designed ing the ring 20, thecover plate I0 and the memlO that the control device will be reliablyresponsive ber 23 in permanently assembled relation and 10 to excessiveatmospheric temperatures. alignment.

A further object of the invention is to provide Contact members 26 and21 of a circuit cona control device which may be assembled on a trollerare mounted on the insulating ring 26 and cover plate for an ordinaryjunction box, such as are connected to the Wires I5 and I6 respectively.l5 is commonly used in electric wiring installations. The cup-shapedmember 23 has tapered and 15 1 also provide a modified constructionwhich threaded inner sideA walls to receive the tapered is adapted forinstallations Where head room is and threaded base portion 30 of a frameor suplimited. port 3| of a sprinkler head on which the heat- Myinvention further relates to arrangements releasable parts of myinvention are assembled.

20 and combinations of parts which will be herein- YA plunger .32 ismounted in an opening or ori- 20 after described and more particularlypointed out ce 33 in the base 30 and is provided with a coil in theappended claims. spring 35 interposed between a shoulder 36 on the Twoforms of the invention are shown in the plunger 32 and the bottom of thecup-shaped drawings, in which member 23. A cap 36 is held against theOpen Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of my lower end of the base30 by a post 4I), a lever 4l, 25 improved control device; a lockingmember formed in two parts 43 and 44 Fig. 2 is a sectional elevationthereof, taken and a clamping stud 45, which parts constitute along theline 2-2 in Fig. 1; parts of the heat-responsive device of the sprin-Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cover and parts kler head. supportedthereby, taken along the line 3-3 in The post 40 is interposed betweenthe outer 30 Fig.2; end yof the cap 38 and the shorter end of the Fig. 4is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but lever 4I. The lever 4I ispivoted to an intermeshowing the parts released; diate point on theinner end of the clamping stud Fig. 4a shows a slight modification ofthe con- 45 and is provided with a recess 46 to receive one tactmembers; end of the locking member 43. The second lock- 35 Fig. 5 is aside elevation of a modified coning member 44 is interposed between ashoulder struction; 41 on the member 43 and a shoulder 48 on the footFig. 6 is an end View, looking in the direction of of the post 40. Theparts 43 and 44 are normally the arrow6 in Fig. 5; secured in assembledrelation by a portion of 40 Fig. 'l is a sectional side elevation, takenalong low melting fusible alloy or solder 49. 40 the line 1-1 in Fig. 6;When the parts are assembled as shown in Fig. Fig. isatransversesectional view, taken along 2 and pressure is applied by the clampingstud the line 8--6 in Fig. '1; 45, the cap 38 is pressed firmly againstthe open Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 7 end of thebase 30, forcing the plunger 32 inward but showing the parts in adifferent position', and and compressing the spring 35. 45

Fig. 9a shows a modified arrangement of the A dOuble-anged two-partinsulating bushing contact members. 56 is inserted in an opening or slot53 in the Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, I have shown my contact member 26and is secured to the end of improved control device assembled on acover the plunger 32 by a b-inding screw 52.

5o plate I0, adapted to be secured to a junction box When the parts areassembled, the inner flange 50 II by binding screws I2. The box II is ofthe of the bushing engages the contact member 26 usual commercialconstruction, and pipes or conand holds it spaced from the contactmember 21. duits I4 may be connected thereto, through which At this timethe spring 35 is held compressed by wires I5 and I6 may extend to asuitable signal the position of the cap 38 on the end of the base 36device and to a source of electricity, not shown. over the orifice 33.If the temperature of the 55 atmosphere surrounding the control devicerises above a predetermined point, the solder 49 will melt, allowing thetwo parts 43 and 44 of the locking member to be swung apart and separateby the pressure of the spring 35, thus releasing the cap 38 and allowingthe plunger 32 to be moved by the spring 35 to the position shown inFig. 4, with the contact members 26 and 21 engaging each other tocomplete the alarm circuit.

The composition of the low-melting alloy or solder 49 may be varied sothat the device will respond to any selected temperature within aconsiderable range.

From the above description, it will be evident that each control deviceis a separate unit adapted to be readily connected into a signal systemWherever a junction box is installed.

When used in an open circuit system with the contact members 26 and 21normally separated, as shown in Fig. 2, the several control devices willbe connected in parallel, so that the closing of the circuit at any oneof the devices will cause the alarm to sound.

The device may be readily adapted for use on a closed circuit system bya slight change in the arrangement of the contact members, as indicatedat 2lia and 21'l in Fig. 4a, in which case the control devices will beinstalled in series, so that the opening of the circuit at any one of anumber of different control points will cause the alarm to sound.

In Figs. 5 to 9 I have shown a modified construction which isparticularly adapted for use on ship-board or in any other places whereheadroom is limited. In this form of my invention, I provide a casing 68having a removable cover plate 6|.

A block 62 of insulating material is recessed at 63 to receive aninternally threaded cuppedshaped member or metal socket 64 which may besecured therein by screws 65. The outer end of the socket 64 extendsthrough an opening in the cover plate 6| and is flanged outwardly overthe cover plate to rmly secure the block 62 and socket 64 in position onthe cover plate.

The block 62 is also provided with a second recess 66 and with a passage61 connecting the recesses 63 and 66. Terminals or contact points 68 and69 are mounted in the partition which separates the recesses 63 and 66and are provided with binding screws 10 to which the vwires of a signalcircuit may be connected.

A contact plate 12 is loosely mounted on the inner end of a plunger 14but is fully insulated therefrom. The plunger 14 is provided with aninsulating sleeve 16, slidable in the opening 61 previously described. Acoil spring 11 tends to move the plunger outwardly in the socket 64 andto seat the contact plate 12 against the contact points 68 and 69, thuscompleting an alarm circuit.

The socket 64 is threaded to receive the base of a heat-controlledreleasing mechanism, or sprinkler head, which may be identical inconstruction with the mechanism previously described in connection withFigs. 1 to 4.

This mechanism or head includes a cap 80 engaging the outer end of theplunger 14 and holding it normally in the inoperative position indicatedin Fig. 7.

The cap 80 is held in position by a post 83, lever 84, locking member 85and adjusting stud 86, all as previously described. 'I'he locking member85 is preferably formed in two separate pieces,

plete the circuit between the contact points 68 and 69.

I have thus provided a very simple and compact circuit-closingconstruction, which takes up very little room and which may beconveniently used Where space is at a premium.

If the device is to be used on a closed circuit system, the constructionis slightly modified as shown in Fig. 9B. This modification consistsprimarily in mounting the terminals 30 and 9| in a cover plate 92 on theblock 62, instead of mounting them in the partition between the recesses63 and 66, as previously described.

With this construction, the contact plate 12 engages the terminals 80and 9| when the plunger 14 is forced inward by assembly of the parts.When the parts are released by a rise in temperature above apredetermined point, the plate 12 moves away from the terminals 90 and9|, thus breaking the circuit and sounding the alarm, instead of closingthe circuit for this purpose as in the form previously described.

This construction possesses many of the advantages of the constructionshown in Figs. 1 to 4 and also requires substantially less head-roomwhen used on ship-board or any places where head-room is limited.

'Ihe frame 3|, the cap 38, the post 4| and the locking members 43, 44 ofFigs. 1 and 2, and the equivalent parts of Figs. 5 and 7, comprise anold and thoroughly reliable type of sprinkler head, well known as theRockwood sprinkler head, used in automatic sprinkler systems forliberating a discharge of water from the water pipe of the sprinklersystem when subjected to an excessive temperature. When used in a Watersprinkler system, the cap 38 closes the passage or orifice 33 againstthe escape of water from the water pipe until released by the operationof the heat-responsive mechanism, whereas, in my invention as hereinillustrated, the cap 38 holds the controller-operating plunger 32against the pressure of its spring.

In general it is within the scope of my invention to utilize anystandard sprinkler head, by which is meant one that has been accepted bythe flre underwriters as being reliable for automatic sprinkler systems,and that has the base portion 30, the water passage 33, the cap 38normally closing the passage and the heat-responsive means for holdingthe cap in sealing relation with the water passage.l

'Ihe use of such a sprinkler head is advantageous in many respects. Thesprinkler head, per se, is well known to be reliable and hence givesimmediate assurance of the reliability of my invention. The sprinklerhead can be used indiscriminately in my invention and in an automaticsprinkler system. Hence a re department does not need to carry anyspecial type of sprinkler head to recondition not only the sprinklersystem but also the alarm systems having my invention in its district,it being merely necessary to unscrew the frame member 3| and discard itand replace it by a new head. It is not essential that the replacementhead be a Rockwood head as a different make can be installed, since allcommonly used heads are intended tobe screwed into the same diameterpipe opening and have orifices closed by cap 38.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do notwish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than asset forth in the claims, but what I claim 1s:-

1. A control device to be supported by a junction box having a coverplate with an opening therethrough, said control device comprising aring of non-conducting material aligned with said opening, a cup-shapedmember extending through said ring and said opening and securing saidring and plate together, contact members mounted on said ring and atopposite sides of with one of said members and across the bottom of saidcup-shaped member, a plunger extending through said cup and having abearing in the inner end of said cup, said plunger engaging said contactmember, and means acting normally to force said plunger against saidcontact member and to thereby hold said contact members in apredetermined relation.

2. A control device to be supported by a junction box having a coverplate with an opening therethrough, said control device comprising aring of non-conducting material aligned with said opening, a cup-shapedmember extending through said ring and said opening and securing saidring and plate together, contact members mounted on said ring and atopposite sides of the opening therein, with one of said membersextending outside of and across the bottom of said cup-shaped member, aplunger extending through said cup and engaging said contact member, andmeans acting normally to force said plunger against said contact memberand to thereby hold said contact members in a predetermined relation,said latter means comprising heat releasable elements restraining saidplunger and adapted to free said plunger when the temperature of thesurrounding atmosphere reaches a predetermined point.

3. The combination in a control device as set forth in claim 2, in whichthe base portion of a supporting frame is secured in said cup-shapedmember, with said plunger extending through an opening in said baseportion, and said heat-releasable elements being mounted in andsupported by said frame.

4. The combination in a control device as set forth in claim 2, in whichthe base portion .of a supporting frame is secured in said cup-shapedmember, with said plunger extending through an opening in said baseportion, and said heat-releasable elements including a two-piece lockingmember mounted in and supported by an open portion of said frame andbeing fully exposed to changes in surrounding atmospheric conditions,the two parts of said locking member being held together by fusiblesolder.

5. A control device comprising a casing, a cupshaped member secured insaid casing, said member being internally threaded and having an axialopening through the bottom thereof, contact members mounted in saidcasing and insulated from each other, an open frame member having a baseportion fitting said threaded cup and having an axial opening, a plungerslidable the opening therein,

in said opening and engaging one of said contact members to hold saidmember in a predetermined relation with respect to the second contactmember, means to move said plunger, and heat-releasable means torestrain such move- 5 ment until the temperature of the surroundingatmosphere exceeds a predetermined limit.

6. The combination in a control device as set forth in claim 5, in whichmeans is provided for positively connecting said plunger to its as- 10sociated contact member.

'7. The combination in a control device as set forth in claim 5, inwhich means is provided for positively connecting said plunger to itsassociated contact member and in which additional l5 means is providedfor preventing movement of the second contact member when engaged by thefirst contact member.

8. The combination in a control device as set forth in claim 5, in whichsaid plunger is made of non-conducting material, and in which saidplunger-moving means comprises a spring surrounding said plunger andhoused in the base portion of said open frame member.

9. A control device comprising a casing having a removable cover, apiece of insulating material mounted on said cover, contact memberssecured to said insulating material, a plunger slidable in said piece ofinsulating material, a contact plate mounted on said plunger, a springtending to move said plunger axially and to thereby change the relationof said plate to said contact members, and heat-releasable elementsrestraining movement of said plunger by said spring, said elementsincluding a member having parts thereof 35,

secured together by solder and separable upon an excessive rise intemperature said contact plate being insulated from said plunger andbeing effective to complete a circuit between said contact members whenin engagement therewith.

10. The combination in a control device as set forth in claim 9, inwhich the piece of insulating material is secured to the removable coverby an internally threaded socket secured in said piece of material andalso secured in an opening in said removable cover, and which saidheat-releasable elements are mounted on a base threaded into said socketand supported thereby and withi which base said plunger is slidable.

11. An alarm signal initiating device comprising, in combination with asprinkler head including a screw-threaded frame having an orifice, a capfor closing said or'ce, andheat-responsive cap-clamping means forholding said cap releasably upon the orifice, of a casing having ascrewthreaded opening in which said frame is screwed, and a circuitcontroller within said casing having operating means therefor governedby said cap.

l2. An alarm signal initiating device comprising, in combination with asprinkler head including a screw-threaded frame having an orifice, a capfor closing said orifice, and heat-responsive cap-clamping means forholding said cap releasably upon the orifice, of a casing having ascrewthreaded opening in which said frame is screwed, 6" a circuitcontroller within said casing, and operating mechanism for saidcontroller having a movable part associated with and normally re-`strained from movement by said cap.

13. An alarm signal initiating device comprising, in combination with asprinkler head including a screw-threaded frame having an orifice, a

cap for closing said orifice, and heat-responsive cap-clamping means forholding said cap releasably upon the orice, of a casing having ascrewthreaded opening in which said frame is screwed, a circuitcontroller within said casing, and operating mechanism for saidcontroller having an operating part engaged with said cap and normallyheld from operation thereby.

14. An alarm signal initiating device comprising, in combination with asprinkler head including a screw-threaded frame having an orifice, a capfor closing said orifice, and heat-responsive cap-clamping means forholding said cap releasably upon the orifice, of a casing having ascrewthreaded opening in which said frame is screwed, a circuitcontroller Within said casing, and operating mechanism for saidcontroller having a plunger bearing against said cap Within said meansacting on said plunger in a direction to urgesaid cap ofi said orice.

15. An alarm signal initiating device comprising, in combination with asprinkler head including a frame having an orifice, a cap for closingsaid orifice, and heat-responsive cap-clamping means for holding saidcap releasably on said orifice, an enclosing casing carrying said head,a circuit controller in said casing governed by said cap.

16. An alarm signal initiating device comprising, in combination with asprinkler head including a frame having an orifice, a cap for closingsaid orifice, and heat-responsive cap-clamping means for holding saidcap releasably on said orifice, an enclosing casing carrying said head,a circuit controller in said casing having operating mechanism thereforincluding an operating member located in said orifice and bearingagainst said cap, and means urging said member for movement outwardly ofsaid orifice.

17. An alarm signal initiating device comprising a frame having anorifice, a cap seated on said orifice, heat-responsive means located onone side of said cap normally holding said cap releasably in theaforesaid relation, spring means acting on the other side of said cap toforce it against said heat-responsive means and to dislodge said capwhen released by said heat-responsive means, and a circuit controllerresponsive to the operation of said spring means.

18. An alarm signal initiating device comprishaving an orifice, a capseated on over said orifice, heat-responsive means located on one sideof said cap normally holding said cap releasably in the aforesaidrelation, a circuit controller, operating mechanism therefor having apart bearing against the other side of said cap, and means urging saidpart for movement in a direction to dislodge said cap from said orifice.

19. An alarm signal initiating device comprising a frame having anorifice, a cap seated on said frame over said orifice, heat-responsivemeans located on one side of said cap normally holding said capreleasably in the aforesaid relation, a spring urged member actingagainst the other side of said cap in a direction to dislodge said capfrom said orifice, and a circuit controller operated by said member.

20. An alarm signal initiating device comprising a frame having anorifice, a cap seated on said frame over said orifice, heat-responsivemeans located on one side of said cap normally holding said capreleasably in the aforesaid relation, a circuit controller, and meanslocated on the other side of said cap and responsive to the dislodgmentof said cap from said orifice for effecting operation of said circuitcontroller.

21, An alarm signal initiating device comprising a frame having anorifice, a cap seated on said frame over said orifice, heat-responsivemeans located on one side of said cap normally holding said capreleasably in the aforesaid relation, spring-means acting on the otherside of said cap in a direction to dislodge it from said orifice, and acircuit controller responsive to the dislodgement of said cap.

22. An alarm signal initiating device comprising a frame having ascrew-threaded base pro- 10 vided with an orifice, a cap normally seatedon said base and orifice, heat-res nsive means holdconnection with saidcontroller movable axially l5 in said base, and spring means acting onsaid plunger holding it against said 'cap and exerting a dislodgingpressure on said cap.

23. An alarm signal initiating device comprising a frame having a scre-threaded base pro- 20 vided with an orifice, a cap normally seated onsaid base and orifice, heat-responsive means holding said cap releasablyin the aforesaid relation,

a circuit controller, a plunger having an operative connection with saidcontroller movable axially 25 in said base, and a spring encircling saidplunger Within said orifice and holding said plunger forcibly againstsaid cap whereby to dislodge it and move said plunger in acontroller-operating direction upon actuation of said heat-responsive 30means.

24. An alarm signal initiating device comprising a conventionalsprinkler head lof the type adapted to control the flow of water fromthe outlet of the Water pipe of an automatic water 35 sprinkler system,said sprinkler head having a part adapted to be secured to the waterpipe of the sprinkler system and having a water outlet,

a valve member which normally closes said outlet, and heat responsivemeans for holding said 40 valve member in closing relation, incombination with a casing having a part that receives the aforementionedpart of said conventional sprinkler head, and a circuit-controlleroperating member in said casing engaged with said valve 45 member andnormally held in an unoperated position thereby and movable into anoperated position upon displacement of said valve member.

25. An alarm signal initiating device compris-` ing an enclosing casinghaving an opening, a 60 cover removably seated on said casing andclosing said opening, heat responsive means exteriorly of said casingand bearing against the outer side of said cover for releasably holdingthe cover in the aforesaid relation, a circuit controller operating 55member disposed within the casing and bearing against the inner side ofsaid cover, and a circuit controller controlled by said operating memberand movable in a circuit controlling direction upon release of saidcover. 60

26. An alarm signal initiating device comprising'a conventionalsprinkler head having a valve member adapted to be unseated by thepressure of Water on one side thereof, and heat responsive means forreleasably holding said valve member 55 upon its seat, in combinationwith a circuit controller structurally independent of said sprinklerhead having circuit making and breaking contact members, movable meanscontrolling said contact members normally held in inoperative posi- 70tion by said valve member, and means for moving said movable means in aContact member operating direction upon release of said valve member bysaid heat responsive means.

27. An alarm signal initiating device comprising a conventionalsprinkler head of the type common in the art for effecting the dischargeof water into the lire zone upon the occurrence of an abnormaltemperature rise in said zone, said head having a normally seated valvemember and heat responsive means releasably holding said valve member onits seat against fluid pressure thereon, in combination therewith, acircuit controller the operation of which is governed by said head, saidcircuit controller including a pressure-urged member which bearsupon'said valve member in the direction of water pressure thereon, andcircuit making and breaking contacts controlled by said pressure urgedmember.

28. An alarm signal initiating device comprising a casing having anopening, a cover for said opening, a cup-shaped member extended throughan opening in said cover and having a flange at its outer end overlyingthe outer face of said cover, an insulating ring surrounding said memberand overlying the inner face of said cover, means on said cup member forclamping said ring against said cover, cooperating contact memberscarried by said ring, a plunger extended into said cup member and havinga connection with a contact member for operating it, a spring acting onsaid plunger tending to move it outwardly of said cup member and effectthe operation of said contact member, a frame member screw-threaded insaid cup member and having a passage therethrough in which said plungeris movable axially, a cap on said frame member removably closing theouter end of said passage and engaged with said plunger for holding itfrom movement, and heat responsive means releasably holding said capupon said frame member against the force of said spring.

29. An alarm signal initiating device including a duct, a controllermounted in said duct and involving a part urged for predeterminedmovement, and a sprinkler head removably screwed into said duct andsupported thereby independently of said controller and having aheat-released ductlosing cap situated in the path and for restraint ofthe urged movement of said controller part whereby release of said capopens said duct to permit such movement.

30. An alarm signal initiating device comprising a conventionalsprinkler head having an operable part and of the type designed for usein protective water sprinkler systems, a circuit controller having anoperable part engaged with and normally restrained from operation bysaid operable part of said head, said head being a structural unitindependent of said controller, and a support for said controllerinvolving means engaged by said head for supporting said head separatelyand independently of and removably in restraining relation with saidcontroller.

CLIFTON P. HOWARD.

